Uruguay's President Mujica counsels the world about happiness

Uruguay's President Mujica counsels the world about happiness

Uruguay's President José Mujica, who has been described as the wold's poorest President has counselled the world about the importance of happiness.

In June 2012, Mujica attended Rio+20, the 20-year follow-up to the 1992 Earth Summit / United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro and gave an inspirational and moving speech on “Human Happiness and the Environment.. (Watch Video for details)

77 year old Mujica donates about 90% of his salary ($12,500 a month) to charities and lives in a modest house at his wife’s flower farm, and drives a 1987 VW Beetle which is listed as his only personal asset.

During the coldest days of the winter of 2012, Mujica offered the use of the presidential residence, normally used for government meetings, to serve as shelter for homeless families. The Ministry of Social Development (MIDES) managed to find suitable alternatives, and the Presidential Palace was not used, but it remains as an option in case of emergencies.